CAB Gala Dinner celebrates aluminium industry successes

The Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB) has recently held its 32^nd Annual Gala Dinner at Stratford’s Crowne Plaza.

Attended by more than 200 CAB members, the event on 15 October formed a celebration of the aluminium building products industry, recognising 30-year memberships to successful social media campaigns.

The evening’s proceedings were opened by Nigel Headford, Chief Executive of CAB, who brought focus on the resilience the sector had shown in the face of economic and regulatory headwinds.

He also highlighted the critical importance of the role of CAB against that backdrop, in giving industry a voice in Government, supporting members in staying ahead of regulatory changes, as well as bringing the aluminium building products supply chain together.

He said: “We’re here tonight to celebrate the fantastically good work that our members are doing, but just as importantly, to get people together, to talk about the challenges that they’re facing and how as an industry, we’re adapting to them.

“We deliberately took a decision not to focus too much on the economic backdrop because we know it’s tough out there. Instead, we want to celebrate success in what we and our members are doing.

“That includes the progress that CAB has made in giving our sector a voice with government, so that we are no longer just reacting to legislation and regulation, but are working with government, to shape it – and to make sure that it works for business.”

Following dinner, the evening went straight into an awards ceremony, with Akzo Nobel, Pilkington, Metal Technology and AluK, recognised for 25-years of CAB Membership – and Novastruct, for 30-years.

Jack Aluminium picked up an award for best social media post; Gary Ledger of Novastruct was recognised for his contribution to CAB Technical Committees; Alutrade received an award for its work in support of CABs closed-loop initiative; while Samantha Nucky, Window Ware was recognised for her work championing CAB.

Prosale Automatic Doors, was also named Best Employer in a new category for 2026.

Awards were followed by an after-dinner speech by former SAS soldier, author and TV personality Mark (Billy) Billingham, who retold his rise from skirmishes on the streets of Walsall, to a distinguished career in the special forces, business and charity work.

For more information about the benefits of CAB membership visit: www.c-a-b.org.uk